Best & Worst Subaru Impreza Years | Years To Avoid

Our simple guide categorizes the best and worst Subaru Impreza years from 2002 to the latest model.

Subaru Impreza enthusiasts, buckle up! Taking a deep dive into this iconic compact car is what we’re about to do. With this no-nonsense guide, we’ll uncover the gems and duds of each Impreza generation.

Based on information from the big guns – NHTSA, Kelley Blue Book, and Edmunds – we’ve determined which Impreza years offer the most value.

Best & Worst Subaru Impreza Years

We won’t stop there. Besides owner-reported reliability and safety ratings, we’ll explore those vexing annual maintenance costs.

What Impreza year should you buy and what should you avoid?

Start the engine and let’s go!


Subaru Impreza Generations

A blend of practicality and sportiness made the Subaru Impreza a hit in the early 1990s. Known for its symmetrical all-wheel drive and powerful boxer engine, this compact car quickly became a fan favorite.

Would you like to see the evolution of the Impreza in a nutshell? Take a look at this:

GenerationYears
2nd generation (GD/GG)2002-2007
3rd generation (GE/GH/GV/GR)2008-2011
4th generation (GJ/GP)2012-2016
5th generation (GK/GT)2017-Present

Here’s the deal: There have been some substantial changes with each generation. You might find these generational differences helpful if you’re considering joining the Impreza club or just curious about its history.


Subaru Impreza Best, Neutral, and Worst Years

What are the ways to tell the difference between Impreza years and others? The following factors make up our toolkit:

  • The owner’s perspective (surveys don’t lie!)
  • The cost of annual maintenance
  • Ratings for safety (because who doesn’t want to feel secure?)
  • Owner satisfaction and reliability according to Consumer Reports
  • An overview of NHTSA’s recalls, investigations, and complaints
  • VehicleHistory, Edmunds, JD Power, and Kelley’s Blue Book (KBB) ratings

We’ve broken down the best, neutral, and worst Impreza years into three categories:

GenerationBest YearsNeutral YearsWorst Years
2nd generation (GD/GG)200520062007200220032004
3rd generation (GE/GH/GV/GR)20102011N/A20082009
4th generation (GJ/GP)201420152016N/A20122013
5th generation (GK/GT)20212022202320242020201720182019

Imprezas sold under the “Neutral Years” brand are mid-range vehicles. Just adequate all-rounders – nothing noteworthy or terrible.

NHTSA recalls, however, should be watched out for. A bunch of them can sink a car’s dependability score faster than you can say “Check Engine Light.”

Let’s dig into what makes each year tick and see what makes it tick. Everything from the best to the worst – we’ve got it all covered. Are you ready?

Come on, let’s go!


Best & Worst Years for Subaru Impreza 2nd Generation (2002-2007)

Upon its release in 2002, the second-gen Impreza made a big splash! We were introduced to the iconic Impreza WRX and WRX STI variants during this generation. There were stars in it, as well as problematic sheep, like any family.

Best & Worst Years for Subaru Impreza 2nd Generation (2002-2007)

The Best Years: 2005

It was in 2005 that the Impreza really hit its stride. The following are the reasons:

  • EJ20 2.0-liter turbocharged engine was powerful.
  • Earlier models had transmission issues. Subaru fixed them.
  • It was the “blob-eye” facelift that won hearts.
  • A serious upgrade to safety features.
  • It comes with automatic climate control and body-color ground effects.

The vehicle gets 15 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, making it a hit with both speed demons and commuters.

The Neutral Years: 2006, 2007

Neither the 2006 nor 2007 Imprezas rocked the boat, but neither did they sink it. Subaru avoided reinventing the wheel by refining existing systems instead. They offer a reliable ride without making any significant changes from the 2005 Impreza.

The Worst Years: 2002, 2003, 2004

Among the creatures captured by this generation’s early risers are:

  • During cold weather, 2002 and 2003 models smelled like fuel. The fuel lines had cracked because of temperature changes. Oh my gosh!
  • Problems with your brakes? Yes, check. Problems with your suspension? Make sure you double check. Lower control arms in the front tended to play hide and seek.
  • As of 2023, Subaru has been plagued by airbag recalls dating back to 2004.

Here’s the twist: despite these stumbles, WRX models from this era continue to attract a loyal following. What a surprise!

Do you want to learn more?

NHTSA Subaru Impreza recalls and complaints for 2002, 2003, and 2004.


Best & Worst Years for Subaru Impreza 3rd Generation (2008-2014)

Subaru’s third-generation Impreza was its big-league debut. Performance, safety, and tech were all combined to entice the mainstream market. Some years were better than others.

Best & Worst Years for Subaru Impreza 3rd Generation (2008-2014)

NOTE

The average number of recalls per model year for this generation was 15. Do yourself a favor and run the VIN of one of these before you buy it to make sure all the recalled parts have been addressed.

The Best Years: 2010, 2011

Subaru’s kinks had been ironed out by 2010:

  • The 2.5-liter EJ255 engine was a beast, largely unchanged from previous years.Subaru had ironed out the kinks by 2010t, largely unchanged from previous years.
  • With the wide body shell and quad muffler tips, the WRX flexed its muscles in 2011.
  • There were several new trim levels to choose from for buyers.
  • Many markets adopted Electronic Stability Control as a standard safety feature.
  • In the city, fuel economy was 17 mpg and on the highway, 31 mpg.

The Worst Years: 2008, 2009

In the early days of the third generation, the models stumbled:

  • Do you remember the Takata airbag issue from the previous generation? That’s right, it’s still around.
  • The clutch system, especially, had some gremlins. There have been reports of creaking noises and clutch failures in worst-case scenarios.
  • A recall in 2014 was prompted by brake line failures due to corrosion.

Best & Worst Years for Subaru Impreza 4th Generation (2012-2016)

Subaru’s fourth-generation Impreza brought a fresh design language and refined powertrains to the market. There were, however, some years that shone brighter than others.

Best & Worst Years for Subaru Impreza 4th Generation (2012-2016)

The Best Years: 2014, 2015, 2016

In these years, we saw the best of the best:

  • 2014 marked the end of the development cycle for the 2L FB20 flat-four engine that was introduced in 2012.
  • The 2015 models received a few sweet upgrades, including a rearview camera, cruise control, and a 6.2-inch touchscreen.
  • The IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating was given to 2015 and 2016 models equipped with EyeSight.
  • In the city, this car got 20 miles per gallon and on the highway, it got 35 miles per gallon.

The Worst Years: 2012, 2013

Initially, the fourth-gen models had some teething problems:

  • Engine valve spring fractures in 2012-2014 models could cause stalling.Initially, the fourth-gen models had some teething problemsuld cause stalling.
  • There were glitches with the Occupant Detection System in the 2012 model.
  • Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) issues have been reported by some 2013 owners.

Want to know more?

Subaru Impreza recalls and complaints from 2012 and 2013.


Best & Worst Years for Subaru Impreza 5th Generation (2017-2024)

With its blend of rally heritage and modern design, the fifth-generation Subaru Impreza was Subaru’s love letter to tech-savvy drivers. Heads up: Subaru hasn’t quite cracked the windshield issue with these models as of yet.

Best & Worst Years for Subaru Impreza 5th Generation (2017-2024)

The Best Years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

The Impreza was really at its peak during these years:

  • As of 2021, all trim levels are equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
  • This 2.0-liter direct-injection boxer-four engine has been redesigned.
  • A 21 mpg city and 41 mpg highway fuel economy was achieved.
  • With EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, features such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance became standard.

The Neutral Years: 2020

A middle child of the fifth generation, the 2020 Impreza wasn’t great, not bad, just… there. Several enhancements were brought forward from earlier years, but certain quirks remained.

The Worst Years: 2017, 2018, 2019

Preliminary fifth-generation models failed to impress:

  • An inadequate light reflection caused a major “headlight recall” in 2017.
  • Cracks in the lower edges of windshields became more common.
  • Engine stalling may be caused by issues with the Engine Control Module in 2017-2019 models.

Are you looking for the subtle points?

NHTSA recalls and complaints for the 2017 Subaru Impreza, 2018 Subaru Impreza, and 2019 Subaru Impreza.


Subaru Impreza Average Resale Value

Are you wondering how well the Impreza holds its value? Here’s what you need to know:


Conclusion

That’s all, folks! The Impreza of some years is clearly better than the Impreza of others. Research your options and choose a model year that fits your needs perfectly.

Let’s hear from you! Have you driven any Subaru Impreza epochs?

What was the efficiency and reliability of the system?

Feel free to leave a comment below – we’re all on the lookout!

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